More than 500 people turned up to say farewell and pay tribute to a young Bromsgrove football star whose funeral was held this week.

Bromsgrove Rovers' player Ashley Read, who was 19, died on Thursday, March 6, after suffering head injuries in a car crash the previous Sunday.

Monday's funeral was preceded by an on-foot procession from Ashley's Belbroughton home, through the village to the church, with the stars of Bromsgrove Rovers acting as pallbearers.

The church was packed with mourners and many people had to stand outside.

Accompanied

The Rev Barbara Matley, conducted the service which was accompanied by a full church choir.

Ashley's girlfriend Caroline Hill, who was in the car with him at the time of the crash, was too distraught to speak, but her brother, Tom said a few words while Amber, Ashley's sister, said a memorial piece.

After the service Bromsgrove Rovers held a buffet at their Victoria Ground football club.

Ashley's grandmother, Una Read, who brought him up since he was four and a half, said: "It was wonderful so many people came but it was a horrendous day for us.

"Ashley was my baby and we all loved him so much. He had such an amazing life but that doesn't make it any easier.

"The Rev Matley has been a great support to us. It was a beautiful service and we can't thank her enough.

"We wish we could have had speakers outside but the weather wasn't good enough."

Una, a Belbroughton parish councillor continued: "There are so many flowers on Ashley's grave and at the site of the crash.

"We really have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and love we have received.

"All the Read family would like to thank chairman Tom Herbert and everyone at Rovers for being so kind to us during this time."